A group of children from Romania attending the Patriarchal Children’s Camp on Prinkipo (Büyükada) Island visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Tuesday, where they were received by His All-Holiness Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch, according to the Orthodoxia News Agency.
During an excursion organised along the Bosphorus, the children visited several of Constantinople’s historic and religious landmarks. Their first stop was the Church of St Phocas the Martyr in Ortaköy, where they venerated the church’s holy objects and learned about its history. The programme continued with visits to Eminönü Square and the Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Bazaar).
The participants then visited the recently restored Church of Panagia Balinuo, where they listened to a presentation on the church’s history and the local community’s activities. Members of the parish, led by its parochial committee president Simeon Soltaridis, welcomed the children warmly and provided transportation for the remainder of their journey.
The highlight of the day was the visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. After a brief stop at the historic Great School of the Nation in the Phanar district and a presentation on the Greek community of Constantinople and its activities, the children visited the Patriarchal Cathedral before being received by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in the Throne Room.
On this occasion, the children thanked the Ecumenical Patriarch for his hospitality. At the end of the meeting, they performed traditional Greek dances, which were warmly appreciated by Patriarch Bartholomew and those in attendance.
On their return journey, the group stopped at the Church of St Nicholas in Cibali, where the children toured the church complex. The day concluded with their return to the camp on Prinkipo Island.
Photo source: Ortodoxia News Agency
